32 Weeks Doctor's Appointment Part 2 with a Little Suprise

Derek and I had fun with another couple sitting next to us in the waiting room today. They asked me if this was our first baby.  This is one of my favorite questions people ask because my response is, "No, it's our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th."  I get a look of confusion and shock as they process what that means.  This particular couple was waiting for their first ultrasound.  The same tech who did our first ultrasound came to get them.  We told them to be careful because she was the one who told us we were having triplets.  They laughed nervously as they followed the tech to the ultrasound room.  When they came back they were quick to tell us it was just one baby.

Baby A's Profile

Baby B's Profile

Baby C has hair!!!!

My appointment went well.  My regular OB was at a different office so I saw the on-call doctor.  He was happy with my progress and then told us that I would be going to the hospital right then to have a Non-Stress Test.  We were taken of guard as we heard this news.  The doctor and nurse reassured us that nothing was wrong.  This is a rountine weekly test they perform starting at 32 weeks with all pregnancies of multiples.  What we couldn't figure out is why our regular OB had not even mentioned this test to us.  Derek quickly got on the phone and rearranged his schedule so he could go with me to the hospital.  They also could not tell us how long the test would take because it depends on the babies and their cooperation.  The nurse got a wheel chair and wheeled me from the doctor's office over to Labor and Delivery for the test.

A Non-Stress test consists of putting all three babies on fetal heart monitors as well as a contraction monitor for me.  Finding all three babies heartbeats and keeping them on the monitors is no easy task.  It took two monitoring machines because the ones in the L&D rooms can only monitor two babies heartrates at a time.  It was quite a sight to see four monitors strapped to my belly!  One of the nurses had to sit on the bed with me a hold Baby C's monitor at a strange angle to keep him on the monitor.  They monitored their heart rates and my contractions for about 30 minutes. The babies' heartrates are supposed to stay between 120-160.  They also look for certain peaks in their hear rates.  This test allows them to tell if the babies are getting enough oxygen and if they are under any stress.  The babies all did great! They also look to see how much I'm contracting.  I only had one real contraction while on the monitors, but she did say I have an "irritable uterus" probably due to it being overstretched by three babies.  Totally normal in my situation and nothing to worry about.  It was a long day.  We arrived at the doctor's office at 9:00am and left about 12:00pm, but we were glad to know the babies were all doing great!  I guess we can look forward to the same test next Friday, but atleast we'll have a heads up.

Specialist's Measurement Ultrasound

I am so excited we made it to this appointment.  I remember when they scheduled it a month ago after our last measurement ultrasound. All I could think was June 28 seemed so far away, but it was one of my goals to make it to the appointment.  I have made lots of small goals along the way and I am so proud everytime I reach one. 
My little sister, Jordan, arrived in town yesterday afternoon.  Ben was at school so she came along to see her future nephews on ultrasound.  She will be staying with us until sometime in early August when she has to return to college.  She will be a junior and starting the nursing program this fall.  I am so glad she is here.  It's great to be able to spend time with her and I know she will be a big help around our house.

The babies have grown so much it was difficult to get their measurements.  I am glad we have such a great ultrasound tech, who worked hard to get the most accurate measurements possible.  In order to get their estimated weights, she measures the diameter and circumference of their heads, the circumference of their bellies, and the length of their femur bones.  It was also neat to see the change in the development of their brains since a month ago.  We were so relieved to hear they are all growing well and that no one is falling behind in growth.  They are growing right on target for their gestational age as compared to a singleton baby.  We were told again these are big triplets!

Estimated Weights at 32 weeks:
Baby A: 4 lbs. 3 ozs.
Baby B: 4 lbs. 2 ozs.
Baby C: 4 lbs. 5 ozs.

= over 12 lbs. of baby!!

32 Weeks

32 Weeks!  Another big goal met!  Every day and week I make it longer is a victory for our babies.  Many of you may be wondering what it feels like to be 32 weeks pregnant with triplets.  Suprisingly, I am not miserable.  At 5'11'', my height and long torso has given me a huge advantage when it comes to being pregnant with three babies.  I am most comfortable laying down on my side.  Standing, sitting up, or walking can become uncomfortable quickly depending on how the babies are positioned.  If I were not on doctor prescribed bed rest, I would be spending most of my time laying down regardless.  Some days my belly is sensitive or itchy from the rapid growth. I deal with the same struggles that most women at the end of their pregnancy deal with such as: difficultly get up from the couch or bed, rolling over from side to side, and getting dressed.  Luckily, I have not suffered from any swelling even in this extreme heat.  However, this week I have begun to experience some tingling/numbness in my hands, especially at night.  I feel extremely blessed to be feeling this well at this stage in my pregnancy.  Derek even commented the other day that he was suprised at how well I am doing.  Only a few more weeks to go!

How far along: 32 Weeks

Weight gain/loss: 2 lbs gained. Net weight gained: 46 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes, but with my rapidly growing belly and long torso my maternity wardrobe is quickly diminishing.

Sleep: Ok...frequent trips to the bathroom.  It has become difficult to roll over from side to side.

Best moment this week: My little sister is here to stay until the beginning of August.

Miss Anything? Missing out on gatherings or parties with my friends because I'm on bed rest.
Movement: Yes, they are beginning to get very crowded.  I frequently feel body parts pushing on my stomach as they move and roll over.
Food cravings: pizza
Anything making you queasy or sick: Prenatal vitamins: very rarely, but unfortunately it still happens.
Have you started to show yet? Measuring 48cm+, my uterus is so far up under my ribs the dr can't get an accurate measurement. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to:  Meeting my baby boys....

32 Weeks Doctor's Appointment Part 1

We've made it to 32 weeks!  The doctor's appointment went very well.  Not very much change since Friday.  My cervix shortened a little to 1.8 cm and is still 1 cm dialated.  Now that I've made it to 32 weeks they will no longer be measuring my cervix by ultrasound, but the doctor will continue to check it.  We will continue to have ultrasounds 2x a week to check the babies heartrates and fluid levels.

The elevator ride to the doctor's office was fun.  A man asked me how many weeks I had left and I replied, "I am 32 weeks"  Everyone stares at me with a confused look as they glance again at my very pregnant belly and I add,  "with triplets"  I love watching the reactions of people when I tell them.  Everyone in the elevator was in complete shock as they picked their jaws up off the floor.  Derek got a kick out of hearing one of the couples in the waiting room talk about what they would do if they found out they were having triplets.  They had no idea he was the father because he was parking the car, while we were in the elevator.  People's reactions to us having triplets still amuses us.

Video Interview with Mommy

Derek wanted to do a video interview to document the pregnancy up to this point.  I think next time we need to do a video interview of Daddy.  Click on the link below to see:

Video interview with Mommy

Color Coding

If you know me, you know I love things to be organized.  I have read lots of advice about raising triplets and one very important tip I keep reading is to be organized.  One way we are going to do this is to assign each baby a color.  We plan to paint one toenail of each baby with their coresponding color.  This will help us and any volunteers keep each baby straight.   I also have bottle labels with each baby's name in the coresponding color, so I can easily chart how much they are eating.  They might occassionally be dressed in these colors or have certain items in these colors, but I don't plan to go overboard.  Its main purpose is for organization and identifying babies in the beginning.

The Triplet's Colors
Chase- Red
Ryan- Green
Tyler- Blue

31 Weeks Doctor's Appointment Part 2

We continue to get a good report from the doctor.  The babies' heart rates are strong and their fluid levels look great.  My cervix lengthened since Tuesday from a 2 to 2.2cm!  I am 1cm dilated, but my doctor was not concerned because my cervix is so long and he says it could stay at 1 cm for weeks.  I somehow escaped gaining any weight this week.  Derek can't figure out how that happened because I eat constantly.  My appetite is very good, which is great for the babies. I belly is measuring 48+ cm.  The doctor can no longer get an accurate measurement because my uterus is so far up under my ribs.  This is also where Baby C likes to hang out.  I return to the doctor Tuesday and on Thursday we go to the specialist for a growth measurement.  I can't wait to see how they've grown!

Baby B's Profile

Look at Baby B's pouty lips!

Baby C's Profile

Ben's Tomatoes

Ben absolutely loves tomatoes!  So much so that any time we have them out he begs to eat them.  This year his Nannie Daniel insisted that he have his own tomato plants to take care of in our yard.  She bought two of the cherry tomato plants and they planted them together in the back yard.  Ben has enjoyed checking his plants progress and watering them.  This week he was able to pick the first harvest of tomatoes from his plants.  After picking all the red tomatoes, we washed them and he ate every one of them in a mater of minutes!

31 Weeks Doctor's Appointment

 I felt great this morning as I went in for my 31 weeks appointment.  I had a lot of energy.  Sometimes getting ready for and getting to my doctor's appointment totally wears me out.  The doctor, nurses, and tech all expressed how proud they were of me for making it this far.  My blood pressure was 100/60, my cervix measured 2cm (the equivalent of being 50% effaced) and I gained 0 lbs. since last week.  My OB did not measure my uterus today, he was in a hurry and behind schedule.  The babies all looked to be doing great.  Their heart rates all continue to be very similar and their fluid levels looked great.  We are all excited and hoping and praying this continues for several more weeks.

My nurses take very good care of me while I am there.  They don't like me to sit and wait in the waiting room.  If all the exam rooms are full, they will put me in the extra ultrasound room so I can lay down.  A couple of weeks ago, I was doing just that and the ultrasound tech that told us we were having triplets saw me and came in worried something was wrong. She was relieved to hear everything was okay and that I was just resting.  She has followed my pregnancy very closely and tries to do my ultrasounds most of the time.  My nurses have also been sending cases of newborn formula home with us the last few visits.  Each case has 24 of the little pre-made formula bottles or in our situation about a day's worth of formula.  I am hoping to be able to pump milk for my little guys, but I love having the back up formula just in case.

Baby B's profile

A Little Change in Names

It has come to our attention that Derek and Garrett sound a lot alike and are easily confused.  Derek and I have both had incidents when the name "Derek" was confused for the name "Garrett" and it didn't even involve our son Garrett.  After discussing it, we have decided to call Garrett, Ryan to prevent years of confusion and frustration for our family.  This was a hard decision to make because we both love the name so much and it is also my Grandmother's family name.  We are simply switching his first and middle name.  Garrett Ryan Daniel will now be Ryan Garrett Daniel.  We are glad this came to our attention before he was born.  The switch will be easier now than later.

The Triplet's Names
Chase Jeffery Daniel
Ryan Garrett Daniel
Tyler Lee Daniel

30 Weeks Doctor's Appointment Part 2

Another great appointment today!  I saw a different doctor in the practice because my usual doctor was at a different location.  He was very positive about how the babies and I are doing. I also met a new nurse, who told me that news traveled fast through the office about the patient who was pregnant with spontanious triplets.  She told me I was doing great and had the reputation around the office for being a trooper and not complaining.  That was nice to hear. Since Monday,  I gained 3 more pounds and my cervix was at a 2.4cm today.  That's an increase of almost a centimeter from Monday!  I hope the good news continues for several more weeks.

30 Weeks

30 Weeks!  I'm so excited!   I cannot believe we are getting so close.  We are almost ready for their arrival.  Some washing, organizing and final touches in the nursery is really all we have left to do to be ready!  I am becoming more and more excited to meet our boys.

 

How far along: 30 Weeks

Weight gain/loss: 10 lbs gained. Net weight gained: 44 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes, but with my rapidly growing belly and long torso my maternity wardrobe is quickly diminishing.

Sleep: Ok...frequent trips to the bathroom and difficulty getting comfortable.

Best moment this week: Relaxing aqt home in a q;uiet house.

Miss Anything? Ben.  He will be gone for a total of 10 days.
Movement: Yes, times 3!
Food cravings: hamburgers
Anything making you queasy or sick: very rarely, but unfortunately it still happens.
Have you started to show yet? Measuring 48 weeks (cm)
Gender prediction: Boy, Boy, Boy!
Labor Signs: Occasional Braxton Hicks Contractions
Belly Button in or out? Out
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: Having Ben home! He will be home on Father's Day.

Ben Update

I've been updating the blog about the triplets' progress, but I can't forget another special member of the Daniel's Den, Ben.  There has been a good bit of change in his life since I went on bed rest and I think he has adjusted well.  He has adjust to mommy not being his primary care taker.  A hard adjustment for both of us.  One of the hardest things he has had to adjust to is that I cannot pick him up.  He has learned that he can sit with me on the couch.  His favorite thing do together now is to watch a movie.  He curls up in the bend of my legs or lays behind me propped up on the pillow while playing with my hair.  He figured out on his own that laying behind me was easier than laying in front, so he doesn't have to compete with my belly for space.  He frequently tells me my belly is big and the babies are growing.  He also thinks it's funny to poke at my protruding belly button.

I am very thankful for all the help I have had with him lately.  Our family has been wonderful about coming to stay with us to take care of Ben and the house.  A few weeks ago, Ben spent the week in Chattanooga.  He was able to stay with and see lots of family.  Over the week, he spent time at Papa and G-mama Daniel, Derek's cousin and her little girl, Derek's aunt and uncle and my brother's family.  My parents and sister were able bring him home from Chattanooga as they passed through on their way to Huntsville.  He loved seeing all his family and spending time with them.  He still talks about playing with all his cousins during the week.  He came home saying, "Hee-Haw" when he got excited.  We still don't know who taught him that, but we got a good laugh from it.  We are so thankful for everyone who volunteered to take such good care of him in their homes.

Ben has spent more time away from home and away from his parents these last two months than he ever has before.  Derek's parents have taken him for the weekend several times to help us out. This week he is with Derek's parents in Lake Junaluska, NC.  We have talked to him several times on the phone.  We miss him tremendously, but we know he is having a great time.   It allows me to focus on resting and Derek time to finish projects around the house as we prepare for the triplets.  Just as important it gives Derek and I some time alone.  Something that will be hard to come by once the babies arrive.

I long for the day when I can pick Ben up and hold him, give him a bath, or sit on the floor and play with him again.

30 Weeks Doctor's Appointment

Today was a great appointment!  My OB was very excited that I am practically at 30 weeks (it's official tomorrow).  At the first appointment, when we discovered it was triplets, he said we should shoot to make it to 30-35 weeks.  30 weeks is a huge milestone!  In the words of my doctor, "let's make it to 30 weeks and then we'll get greedy". So now we get greedy.  He is still shooting for 35 weeks and so are we.  If I go into labor before 34 weeks, he will do his best to stop it.  He also said it was amazing I haven't been hospitalized at all during this pregnancy.  It was all very reassuring to hear. 

This week I gained 5 lbs, my blood pressure is holding steady, and my belly measured 48cm.  My cervix dropped to 1.5cm, but my doctor did not seem concerned since it has been fluctuating.

The babies looked great today.  They are getting so big it's hard to see them on the ultrasound.  Part of Baby C was behind Baby A.  It's hard to imagine what it feels like in there for them.  No wonder they say multiples are so close and they prefer to be next to each other when they are born.  They don't know any different. 



 

29 Weeks Doctor's Appointment Part 2

On Friday, I went back to the doctor to make sure everything was still alright.  Everything was exactly the same as Tuesday. My regular OB was at a different office, so I saw another doctor in the practice.  He said the babies and I were doing great.  It was nice to hear the same message from another doctor.

29 Weeks Doctor's Appointment

After a long restful weekend, I was hoping I would hear good news from the doctor today.  Ben had spent the weekend with his grandparents and I spent the entire weekend in bed.  I received the news I wanted to hear.  My cervix had returned to 2cm!  I was glad to hear this, but still a little worried since it was under 2.5cm, the magic number I had been told at the beginning of the pregnancy.  My doctor was thrilled to see the increase and said 2cm was great at this point in the pregnancy.  Since we are getting closer to the end, he now wants to see me at the beginning and end of every week.  I will now have doctor's appointments every Monday or Tuesday and every Friday.  He said he wants the assurance that everything is okay on Friday for before going into the weekend.  Although I hate playing the waiting game at the doctor's office, I will feel better with twice a week check-ups.  Less stress and worry for me, too.  This week my belly measured 48cm!  I gained 2 more pounds this week and my blood pressure continues to hold steady at around 112/60.

Here are 3D pictures of Babies A and C.  Baby B continues to be difficult to get pictures of because of his position.

Baby A

Baby A with mouth open.  It was fun to watch him open and close his mouth.

Baby C

Happy 7th Anniversary!

Happy 7th wedding Anniversary to my wonderful husband.  He has gone above and beyond to take care of his family during this entire pregnancy.  I am so blessed to have married a wonderful husband and father.

Doctor's Appointment Recheck

Today I went back to the doctor and because this was my third appointment this week I was not looking forward to it.  Everything was about the same as Tuesday, except my cervix had shortened a little more to 1.4cm.  My doctor doubled the dosage of the medication he put me on Tuesday hoping that it will help to relax my uterus.  He told me to take it very, very easy this weekend and to be a little stricter on my bed rest.  Derek's parents offered to take Ben for the weekend.  I plan to do abolutely nothing all weekend, except lay in bed.  I return to my doctor on Tuesday and we are both hoping my cervix is around 2-2.5cm.